Use music as a writing prompt to practise descriptions.

Aims

Materials

Language/skills focus

Author: Fiona Mauchline

Instructions

NOTE: Listen to the pieces of music BEFORE your class, to become familiar with them and to know when to stop playing without watching the videos.

1) Put students into threes or fours (students A, B, C and D) and give each student a worksheet. Students complete the mindmap using the clues and their own ideas. Encourage them to use their imagination.

2) Reorganise students into three or four groups of As, Bs, Cs and Ds, so that they are with new partners. Ask them to share the words they have put on their mindmaps.

3) Tell students they are going to listen to two pieces of music and imagine winter scenes. Ask them to read the table to help them ‘notice’ things about the scenes.

4) Ask students to close their eyes (or to look at the ceiling) and play the first piece of music. Fade and stop at 1:15 approximately. Do NOT show students the images of the video.
If you wish, play the complete piece as background music while students do step 5.

5) Stop the music and ask students to complete the FIRST column with notes on the scene they imagined. Allow them to take notes in the language they prefer – they will have time to check vocabulary after listening.

6) Ask students to close their eyes again and listen to the second piece of music. Fade and stop at 1:11 approximately. Do NOT show students the video.

7) Stop the music and ask students to complete the SECOND column with notes on the scene they imagined. Allow them to take notes in the language they prefer, as before.

8) Allow the students time to find the vocabulary they need to be able to tell a partner about the scenes they saw, using a dictionary such as http://www.macmillandictionary.com/ , working in small groups and / or with your help.

9) Put students in pairs (with a different partner if they have completed step 4 in pairs or groups). Students tell each other about the winter scenes they imagined. Monitor and help as necessary.

10) Ask the students to write ONE of the descriptions. If possible, collect in all the descriptions and use them to create a Christmas story booklet for your class to read at home.